New classrooms for school
Far North schools are set to gain from a $19 million cash injection.
Bay of Islands Academy in Te Tii will gain two new classrooms and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga will receive a new wharekura at Koutu Point.
BOI Academy principal Sean McDermott says the new buildings are ‘‘huge’’ for the school.
‘‘The process has taken two and a half years but we are just so fortunate.
‘‘We are thankful that the needs of schools in Northland are being recognised.’’
The new classrooms will allow for four teaching spaces at the school that has a roll of 105 students for years 1 through to 8.
There is not much scope for collaboration between classes at the moment, but the new open plan classrooms will help with that, McDermott says.
Arriving onto the site in six pieces in October, the high-spec buildings will be put together by local contractors.
The classrooms are standardised for the entire country and are high quality buildings designed to withstand the environment in any location, McDermott says.
Around $12 million is going towards a new wharekura [Maori immersion school] for Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga.
Currently based near Whirinaki, the new development will be located at nearby Koutu Point.
Co-principal at the kura Michelle Sarich says they have waited a long time for the new school.
‘‘It’s only right that our children are educated in state of the art, modern, environmentally friendly learning centres.’’
The kura with a current roll of 70 have been learning in ‘‘temporary’’ classrooms, which are not adequate for the increasing roll, Sarich says.
Planning is still in the early stages for the new wharekura with input being sought from whanau and past and present students into the types of buildings required, she says.
Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says the new multifaceted facility will have wider social as well as educational benefits for the area.
‘‘As well as room for up to 150 students to learn in a Maori medium school, the new wharekura will also provide a community hub which can support the surrounding area.’’